An FBI agent interviewed Shawn Payton, 34, on Monday and played him recordings of the threats. Payton, a life-long Lions fan, admitted to making the calls.

"I'm not a bad person. I was just so proud of the Lions finally making the playoffs for the first time in God knows how long," he told a Times-Picayune reporter when reached by phone. "I got caught up in the heat of the moment, and I seriously, highly regret making those calls."

The Lions lost to the Saints 45-28. It was the Lions first trip to the playoffs since 1999.Contact Aaron Aupperlee at aaupperl@mlive.com or 517-768-4927. Follow him on Twitter or subscribe on Facebook.